The Saugus High School varsity football team will play a home non-conference game against Peabody Veterans Memorial on Thursday, November 28, at 10 a.m.

What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Saugus (MA) vs Peabody Veterans Memorial (MA)
When: Thursday, November 28, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. ET
Where: Saugus Middle High School
Live stream: Watch here

Peabody Veterans Memorial and Saugus High School: A Season Review and Comparative Analysis

As the 2024-2025 Massachusetts high school football season wraps up, Peabody Veterans Memorial High School and Saugus High School present intriguing stories of competition and growth within their division. Both teams faced unique challenges and have shown contrasting performances in their pursuit of victory. This article will explore their respective records, scoring trends, and shared experiences against common opponents.

Season Overview

Peabody Veterans Memorial concluded the season with a record of 4-7 overall, including a 1-4 mark within the league. Their campaign was defined by a mix of strong performances at home (2-4) and a slightly better showing on the road (2-3). The team averaged 20.5 points per game, displaying a more potent offensive output in the latter stages of the game. Despite their struggles, Peabody’s offense was competitive, scoring an average of 3.5 points in the first quarter, peaking at 7.2 points in the fourth quarter.

In contrast, Saugus finished the season with a 3-7 record, ending with a 0-4 league record. Their performance at home was less favorable (1-4), while their away games were slightly better (2-3). The Saugus offense had significant difficulty generating consistent scoring, averaging only 14 points per game with an average of 1.5 points per quarter during the final two quarters. This trend indicates a pattern of struggling to maintain offensive momentum throughout the game.

Scoring Analysis

A closer look at scoring averages reveals Peabody Veterans Memorial’s relative consistency. The team managed to put up an average of 3.5 points in the first quarter and 5.8 in both the second and third quarters. However, their most impressive quarter was the fourth, where they scored 7.2 points on average. This surge in the final quarter suggests resilience and an ability to push hard when the game is on the line.

On the other hand, Saugus’ scoring averages tell a different story. The team struggled particularly in the first three quarters, failing to score in the first two and averaging only 1.5 points in the third and fourth quarters. This consistent underperformance in the early and mid-game periods contributed to their overall record and their difficulties in securing victories.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Both Peabody Veterans Memorial and Saugus encountered Swampscott as a common opponent. On September 20, 2024, Peabody Veterans Memorial played away at Swampscott and fell short with a 42-21 loss. The same opponent proved even more challenging for Saugus when they hosted Swampscott on October 25, 2024, suffering a significant defeat with a 56-0 loss. This head-to-head comparison highlights Peabody’s relatively stronger showing against Swampscott, emphasizing a competitive edge when facing shared opponents.

Record Breakdown

The final breakdown of each team’s season performance showcases the challenges faced and their relative success:

• Peabody Veterans Memorial: 4-7 overall, 1-4 in league play, with a 3-2 record in non-league games.
• Saugus: 3-7 overall, 0-4 in league play, with a 3-3 record in non-league games.

Both teams did not advance to the playoffs, as reflected by their 0-0 records in playoff standings. Peabody’s in-state record (4-7) slightly outperformed Saugus’ in-state performance (3-7). Notably, Saugus did not participate in out-of-state games, while Peabody also did not have any out-of-state matchups.

Conclusion

The 2024-2025 football season for Peabody Veterans Memorial and Saugus High School has been one of growth and resilience. While Peabody showed a stronger offensive output and a better ability to close out games, Saugus faced difficulties maintaining consistent scoring throughout their matchups. Both teams will look to build on their experiences and make strategic adjustments as they move forward into the next season. The comparisons drawn between their scoring averages, head-to-head records, and matchups against common opponents provide a comprehensive look at where these programs stand and where improvements may be needed for the future.